The Holidays! Oh, the excited anticipation of them all! The planning and the decorating; the ever-changing shopping lists–two miles long; the food and the get-togethers with all that wine! And, then there’s the writing out of Christmas cards and the wrapping of presents; the lighting of candles and the Yuletide tree; the sounds of music in the air, at the school concert and in stained-glassed churches everywhere!

Phew! So, between the stress and the laughter, we’d like to offer you these few haiku from our archives to brighten your celebration of this season of light and love, hope and peace!

The holidays are Cookie Exchanges and building Gingerbread Houses with the kids:

Our featured Poster Illustrates just such a scene. The haiku poster is from our 2009 Series. The cheerful haiku was written by Nancy Liccione (Clay 2003) and brightly illustrated by former Syracuse University Illustration Student, Yealim Kong, now a Home Textile & Graphic Designer based in New York City.

Run run Jerry run / freedom is at hand oh Lord / helpful hands stretch out by Pat Flowers (Columbus 2006)

Originally referred to in the late 1860’s as Decoration Day–a day of remembrance when mourners could grace the graves of the Civil War’s dead with flowers–Memorial Day became a national holiday in 1971. It remains a day of solemn observance; a day reserved to honor and remember all Americans who have died while serving in our country’s military service.

Over the last few decades, Memorial Day has also come to be known as the unofficial start of Summer. Marked with patriotic parades, major sporting events, family gatherings and barbecues, Memorial Day is still a shared American tradition.

Our featured haiku poster this Memorial Day is from our 2004 Series. It was written by frequent contributor, Jay Cox and illustrated by former Syracuse University student, Steve Kim. We think you’ll agree, the poster exemplifies the beauty of our monuments to peace, freedom and remembrance.

The blue sky ripples / and clouds stream by in the water / fountain reflections

However you observe this Memorial Day–whether it’s laying a wreath or raising a flag, marching along with a parade or gathering with family, watching a ballgame or enjoying the evening’s fireworks–safe travels!

It’s only the first month of Winter, and already, it’s cold, grey and snowy! But, inbetween thick bursts of Lake Effect snow, we’ve had occasion to soak in brief periods of sunshine. Sometimes, just seeing blue sky is enough to warm up and brighten one’s mood, but overall, it’s been just plain cold! Living with snowy, cold Syracuse Winters has been the subject of numerous haiku contributed by Central New York poets. We’ll try to warm you up with a few of them!

Despite the cold, getting outdoors is one way to tackle Winter. Can you picture yourself in Rachel Brown’s (Baldwinsville, 2008) fine haiku?

I bundle up warm laced up tight, feet on the ice, the cold air at me

As cold as it is, sometimes, just standing in the falling snow can be something wonderful. Syracuse poet, William Neumire’s (2012) haiku beautifully depicts such an occasion:

Snow in lamplight stills the streets until we all stop and reach out our hands

Our featured poster from our 2007 Series exemplifies ‘cold’ in its many forms. By using the proximity of Clinton Square’s Ice Skating rink with Syracuse’s Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, Skaneateles poet and regular contributor to the Syracuse Poster Project, Mary L. Gardner, paints a vivid picture. Former Syracuse University Illustration student, Chris Casciano, now a professional Illustration Artist, beautifully captures the essence of Mary’s words with his poster.